Moyne-Templetuohy claimed their second county hurling title for 2013 when they overcame Drom-Inch in the replay of the Clean Ireland recycling county intermediate hurling league final replay at The Ragg on Sunday last, a late goal by Diarmuid Fogarty clinching victory for them.

Agonisingly beaten in the county intermediate championship final, Moyne-Templetuohy gained some consolation with their victory in the county under 21 B hurling final and this win, to bring down the curtain on a memorable year’s competition for them, was the “icing on the cake”, the double success setting them up nicely for the coming year’s activities.

The win did not come easy. Drom-Inch gave as good as they got in an excellent contest dominated by the defences. Some slack finishing, understandable given the time of the year, was Drom-Inch’s undoing, and right up to Fogarty’s late clincher, the home side’s hopes of success were very much alive.

Slow out of the blocks all year, a new Moyne-Templetuohy was seen on Sunday as they raced into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead by the end of the first quarter.

They were sharper and hungrier for the action than their rivals, their scores coming from Diarmuid Fogarty, Tom Meade and Paul Maher(2) to Robbie Long’s sole reply for Drom.

Drom’s poor return was also due to the fine hurling of Moyne defenders John Coghlan and Robert Larkin in particular, and with Tom Meade also having a fine game at midfield, there was plenty of ball going forward.

Drom were much improved in the second quarter. Enda Walsh fired over a fine point and though Paul Maher’s free for Moyne cancelled it out, Moyne finished the half strongly, points by Brendan Larkin and the lively Robbie Long leaving them only one adrift at the break, 0-4 to 0-5, and very much in the game.

Inside thirty seconds of resuming Michael Everard levelled for Drom-Inch to set the scene for a mighty struggle between the sides to the finish.

Drom were having the better of the exchanges initially, but had nothing more to show for it on the scoreboard and when Martin Kelly whipped over a sweet point for the lead for Moyne in the 42nd minute, the tide began to turn in his side’s favour.

A Paul Maher free extended the advantage to two points entering the last quarter, and a further Paul Maher pointed free suggested the title was Moyne’s to lose at that stage of the game.

Drom’s lack of scoring power was dogging them though Enda Walsh, who started at wingback, landed his second point of the game nine minutes from time to keep them in touch.

Drom were chasing a winning goal but the green flag was at the other end as in the last minute, Diarmuid Fogarty, a thorn in the Drom side all afternoon, got the goal his work deserved to set the seal on his side’s victory.

There should be a lot of justifiable optimism in the Moyne-Templetuohy camp facing into the 2014 campaign following these successes, and the challenge for them now is to build on them to annex intermediate championship honours and regain their senior status.

Certainly, they have the material, and if the attitude and application is right, great things could be in store for the club.

This win was achieved without key defender Liam Butler absent because of work commitments, but in an excellent defence John Coghlan, Robert Larkin and Cathal Ely excelled.

Tom Meade had a fine game at midfield, while in attack, Diarmuid Fogarty always looked dangerous and Paul Maher’s accuracy was crucial.

Drom-Inch will feel that they left the title behind them in the drawn game when they had built up a considerable lead only to be caught. They will also rue some missed chances but overall can have no complaint about the outcome.

The experienced Eddie Costello and Enda Walsh were strong in defence with Martin McGrath also to the fore.

Padraig Butler did a lot of good work at midfield, while in a disappointing attack Robbie Long threatened most.

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